Citizen Poet

A landmark volume of essays from “Ireland’s leading feminist poet” (New York Times Book Review) that celebrates a transformative vision of womanhood, nation, and poetry.

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Eavan Boland was a trailblazing poet, critic, teacher, and essayist. Carving a path for the next generation, she broke open the male-dominated canon of Irish literature and mapped her poetic journey through the contours of life as a mother, daughter, and citizen. This generous and wise volume contains essays selected from Object Lessons (1995) and A Journey with Two Maps (2011); later writings addressing the changing nature of poetry; and a draft of a reflective memoir called “Daughter,” on which Boland was working at the time of her death.

A compelling blend of memoir, analysis, and argument, Citizen Poet traces the arc of Boland’s pioneering view of nationhood through the lens of womanhood.